Do not have expectations in life....

Do you find the title of my post strange? Yes i know you do. Because, everybody has expectations regarding every aspect of their life, let it be their personal life or career. These expectations will vary from person to person, based on their character, environment, peer group etc. Even i have lot of expectations. But still i go against this basic fact of life and say do not have expectations in personal life, especially in relationships. I am speaking from general observation of life. There have been many times when we wish for something to happen but we end up disappointed when it does not happen... What we want to happen is far different from what actually happens. Take the example of friendship. People become friends because they understand each other very well and do not have any expectation from each other. Their friendship thrives mainly because they accept each other as they are. The relationships will go on well are those in which people care about each other and just wish for others to be happy. Expectations will only kill the relationship because we expect others to live as per our wishes. If we truly care about someone, we should be a strength to them and not a burden. Being a strength to them means understanding them, being ready to listen to them anytime and also willing to help them when they truly require help. Being a burden to them means having lot of expectations from them, getting angry with them when they are not like as we expect. This only puts additional pressure on them to be careful while dealing with us as well as the rest of the world. 

Just close your eyes for a minute and think of a person you care a lot about. Reflect on how you behave with them. Do you show them you care and that all your wish is for them to be happy? Do you feel they should have the freedom to make their own choices and you will support them no matter what they do? Or do you order them to listen to your words and do exactly as you say? Just think which will work best. You will see the answer in your mind, whether you admit it openly or not. A person who thinks they know what is best for others all the time is making a huge mistake. It may be too late before they realize that the other person has opinions, thoughts and wishes too.

I came across this thought many times... "If something was yours, it will come back to you, If it does not come back to you, It never belong to you". It certainly does not mean don't do anything at all and see if you get back the people you wanted to be with you. :) It's only recently that i interpreted this thought so positively... It means... Do your best... Be a good human being. Live by some important principles. Treat others as you wish to be treated. Allow other people the same amount of freedom you feel you have the right to... Support your loved ones and friends the way you wish for their support. It is then you will see a huge difference in your life. 

First of all, you will be determined to do your best in all the work you undertake. Second, you will be a pillar of strength to the people you care about. Your care will never burden them, but help them to be happy in life. When you adopt this sort of attitude, it will result in people looking forward to your company and truly valuing your friendship. Just try it once and you will see the difference it will make, not only in your life but in the lives of many other people. So i still say.. Do not have any expectations in life. Hope i conveyed the true meaning of this correctly... :)